Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg, a mountain town in eastern Tennessee, is known as a gateway to the roughly 520,000-acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Many of its key attractions offer sweeping views of the neighboring park, including the 407-ft. Space Needle observation tower and the Sky Lift, a 2.1-mile aerial cable car that journeys from Downtown to the popular amusement park and ski resort Ober Gatlinburg.

With three entrances to Great Smoky Mountains National Park located in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, it's no surprise that visiting the park is the most popular attraction in this eastern Tennessee town. It's such a hit that Gatlinburg's population balloons during the peak tourist season from less than 4,000 residents to more than 40,000. With miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, as well as historical exhibits and cabins, and the opportunity to view black bears, elk, deer, and other wildlife in their natural habitat, it's easy to see why the park is such a hot spot. When you're not in the park enjoying its natural wonders, you'll likely spend time admiring it from several of Gatlinburg's top attractions, including the Gatlinburg Space Needle and the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway.

But Gatlinburg isn't just a gateway to the Smokies. This small mountain town is a destination in its own right and one that's particularly popular with families thanks to kid-friendly diversions like Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and the Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre. To get a taste of local Gatlinburg culture, skip the kitschy souvenir shops and visit one of several local galleries, including the Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community, to watch local artists and craftsmen create everything from paintings and pottery to handmade brooms and jewelry.

The best time to visit Gatlinburg is between September and October. The two peak seasons in Gatlinburg are summer (June, July, and August) and the month of October when the fall foliage is at its zenith. July is the busiest month of the summer season, while weekends in October draw the largest crowds in the fall. Summer is hot with temperatures in the 80s but normally less humid than surrounding areas due to the city's high elevation.

Address: Tennessee